VICTORIA – Minister of Education
George Abbott has issued the following statement:

“We are pleased that mediation has
resulted in a tentative Memorandum of Settlement between the British Columbia
Public School Employers’ Association and the British Columbia Teachers’
Federation.

“Under Dr. Charles Jago’s
guidance, the parties worked extremely hard and made progress on many important
issues.

“The term of the agreement runs
until June 30, 2013, sets out improved language to manage leave provisions, and
is consistent with government’s net zero mandate. In addition, the parties
agreed to further discuss and seek mutually agreeable improvements on key
policy issues to provide students with the best education possible.

“In the days ahead, BCPSEA and the
BCTF will communicate further information to their members about the agreement
and next steps with respect to ratification.

“We would like to take this
opportunity to thank Dr. Jago for the tireless commitment, effort and energy he
brought to the mediation process. His success in this endeavour is consistent
with the many successes he has achieved in his distinguished career.”